What Is Your Opinion On This Scenario?

[Jtrout]

I'd count it and be happy it didn't get away lol

[Silas]

In my opinion using the A rig is really the issue.

I think our next tactic will be mimicking the Japanese Long Liners who let out hundreds of hooks at a time.

What's happened to the "sport" in Sport fishing?

Try a cast net or seine and be done with it.

I find It hair splitting to see if you can "accept" a fish when fishing with an A rig.

Don't mind me and my opinion. I'm just an ole timer who still uses ONE bait.

Now everyone get on with their "justification".

[bassr95]

I'd count it. I'm sure most people "count" fish that got the back hook of a jerkbait or crankbait in the side. For some reason people view the A-rig differently than other baits that might accidentally foul hook a fish during the fight. 

[lo n slo]

What's happened to the "sport" in Sport fishing?

Sometimes I wonder

[Jaderose]

A rigs.  Don't own one.  Don't want one

[BaitMonkey1984]

I don't count snagged fish. However, I would count this fish. In my mind it is analogous to catching a fish on a crank bait and having him become undone on the treble hook in his mouth but still landed on a hook up by the dorsal fin. Happens to me quite often.

[Bluebasser86]

Counts 100% in my book. One of my buddies caught one just shy of 7 (his PB) on a jerkbait a few years back that had one hook on the underside of it's chin. Never questioned that catch because the fish had obviously tried for the bait, he fooled it and landed it (just like you did). 

 

Congrats on the new PB and don't listen to the A rig haters. 

[SirSnookalot]

Don't think the event is unique enough to question it 1 way or the other. 

[Lund Explorer]

Its been stated a number of times already, but here is the exact wording from the State of Michigan's fishing regulation book.  Page 15 clearly states the rule.  Notice the rule doesn't say anything with regards to had been hooked in the mouth at some point. 

 

Hook-and-Line Fishing: Fish taken must be

hooked in the mouth. Fish not hooked in the

mouth must be returned to the water immediately.

[bobh64]

A- Rigs aren't legal in my state but a snag is a snag. 

[K_Mac]

It sounds like the fish was returned to the water immediately. This satisfies the legal question. While I am not a big fan of the A-Rig, this example is not a question of ethics in my opinion. He was only using two single hooks. If this had occurred while fishing an old-school minnow type bait with three treble hooks and the same thing happened, would anyone question the fish as a legitimate catch? I don't think so. Taking it to the scale in a tournament is a different question, although in most cases the fish would be legal there as well. The idea that this violates some sort of ethical "sport" fishing code seems a little self-righteous to me.

[the reel ess]

Last night I saw Scott Martin keep one that was hooked in the side while explaining that it came unhooked and re-hooked. He counted it.

[the reel ess]

Counts 100% in my book. One of my buddies caught one just shy of 7 (his PB) on a jerkbait a few years back that had one hook on the underside of it's chin. Never questioned that catch because the fish had obviously tried for the bait, he fooled it and landed it (just like you did). 

 

Congrats on the new PB and don't listen to the A rig haters. 

It's very common when the topwater or jerkbait bite is on for fish to smash the bait and get hooked somewhere outside the mouth.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't think the issue here is solely based on how the the fish was hooked, but the size too.  Had it been a 2 lb fish instead of a questionable PB that didn't appear to be weighed, doubtful the thread would have been started.

 

The mere fact that the OP is looking for outside justification says it all.   If one is recreational fishing what does it really matter.  Not like it was a near world or state record.

[wnspain]

It's your choice, count it or not. If you feel you have to justify it in some way (e.g. asking others in a forum setting) you most likely don't feel it's legit. No hard and fast rules and there will always be a differing opinion. Go with your gut but don't dwell on it...go catch it's mom!

[Subaqua Adinterim]

I don't think the issue here is solely based on how the the fish was hooked, but the size too.  Had it been a 2 lb fish instead of a questionable PB that didn't appear to be weighed, doubtful the thread would have been started.

 

The mere fact that the OP is looking for outside justification says it all.   If one is recreational fishing what does it really matter.  Not like it was a near world or state record.

Very well said. When it comes to issues of ethics or morals; if you have to ask, in most if not all cases, you already know the right answer to begin with.

In this case, it doesn't matter anyway. Become an official member of the UFFC (unofficial fish for fun club) and you will no longer have to worry about stuff like this. It's easy to join the UFFC, there are no forms or dues - just relax and have fun.

[Canyon explorer]

IMPO If the fish was legally caught with legal baits it should count as your personal best . I vacate this position for all and any tournament or contests.

[blckshirt98]

I always go by Elite rules!  A-rig doesn't count, snagged fish count as long as it wasn't a sight fish.  So you only met one of the two criteria!

[carpflyguy]

Thanks for the responses guys. Enjoyed reading them.

 

I don't normally use Alabama Rigs. In fact this was only my second time throwing one. I will not be using them in the future, but not because I have an ethical issue with them - just planning on using swimbaits all next year anyways.

 

I know I said snagged fish don't count, but, like someone pointed out, I thought this was an interesting situation. If I was throwing an A-rig and the fish was just snagged across the back, no chance I'm counting that fish. That's where I see people taking issue to the rig... just attracting fish to the point where they smash the bait and get snagged. In my mind, this is a bit different, since the fish was hooked for real for 95% of the fight.

 

 

 

I don't think the issue here is solely based on how the the fish was hooked, but the size too.  Had it been a 2 lb fish instead of a questionable PB that didn't appear to be weighed, doubtful the thread would have been started.

 

The mere fact that the OP is looking for outside justification says it all.   If one is recreational fishing what does it really matter.  Not like it was a near world or state record.

 

The fish was weighed. 7-1. Good size for up here. I know it's no record though. I posted this because I thought it was an interesting scenario, that has a lot of answers depending on your views, and was just curious to your opinions. I did enjoy the fight and the thrill of the bite, but PBs are still part of the fun of fishing for me, so I'll admit that was part of the reason I posted this. My mind is undecided... only thing to do is just catch a bigger one! That's where my swimbaits will come in!

 

Worst part is if I had had my regular net I could have netted it before the main hook pulled. I forgot that net, and was using a tiny net for trout.

[ClackerBuzz]

if a fish fell over in the woods and nobody was around to hear it, would it still make noise?

 

i'd count it. what if a bass comes unbuttoned at the boat but ur partner has a net underneath and catches it?

it would be flipping awesome, would count and you two would be high fiving the heck out of each other.  

your story isn't as glamours but it counts

[bassguytom]

The fish had to take a swipe at it to get hooked. It counts.

[Dogmatic]

New PB!